Building an Aviary!!

[finchybug]

My mom was just diagnosed with COPD and after a series of tests ordered by the doc we've discovered that she's also allergic to my quaker parrot, Petrie. So, long story short, Petrie will be moving to my bf's house into an aviary that we're planning on building for him.

Now I'm sure you're wondering why I'm posting this in a finch forum. I have always wanted an outdoor aviary for finches and now that I have an opportunity to build one, I'm most certainly not going to pass it up.

Soo, after much begging and pleading with my wonderful bf, the original plan for a 5'x4' aviary for our Petrie has turned into a 12'x6' building to include two aviaries (one for Petrie and one for a few finches, each 6'x4') and two enclosed shelters for each aviary.

Although we're not planning on breaking ground for a few months, we have almost every detail planned out except for a few things here and there. One of those being the type of lighting to use for a nightlight. I've read of a few people who use christmas lights but I'm not sure that the aviary will have its own power source so we were thinking about using the little solar powered garden lanterns.

I was hoping for some advice from others who have outdoor aviaries. Also, some help with the number of finches I could keep in an aviary of that size. I'm partial to owls, orange cheeks, stars, bronze wings, and of course societies and zebras (which I had several years ago). I know I don't have the room for all of those but I'm not sure which would do best together and in central florida's climate.

Thanks so much!

[L in Ontario]

Hello and welcome to the forum Finchybug! Sounds like a nice aviary is in the owrks for you. I don't have an outdoor aviary but I'm sure others will jump in here with suitable information for you.

If you check out the Finch Infortmation Center - linked on the left side of your screen - you can find tonnes of handy information such as how many finches will fit in your aviary and what kinds will get along together... along with loads more!

[lovemyfinch]

I love the idea of the solar powered lanterns, would most likely be beautiful at night.

Welcome to the forum.

[finchybug]

Thanks for the welcomes!

I love the idea of the solar powered lanterns, would most likely be beautiful at night.

I do as well, although I am concerned as to whether or not they would provide enough light at night...and yet as I was typing this I suddenly remembered that we keep the light on the back deck on all night and it lights a good portion of the backyard...silly me lol .

L : Thanks for the tip! I've read most of the articles already and I've started re-reading some of them lol...can't be too prepared